Project Report
| Jan 31, 2022
Bulgaria Startup Ecosystem Update
By Pavlina Yanakieva | CEO of Bulgaria Innovation Hub
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Futureunicorns
Dear friend,
Thank you for your continued support!
2021 was an incredible year full of many challenges and successes for us and the Bulgarian startup community we collectively support. Despite the constant changes surrounding the global pandemic we managed to achieve great success in all areas of impact:
- Hosted 2 virtual iterations of BIH startup accelerator programs (spring and fall 2021)
- Welcomed 35 startups into our portfolio in less than three years (2019-2021)
- BIH gets featured in the European Innovation Hubs in Silicon Valley report
- Celebrated the successful completion of the spring cohort in July of 2021 during a graduation ceremony that brought together the SEE entrepreneurial, VC and partner community in Sofia, Bulgaria.
- In December we co-hosted a CEE Christmas party in San Francisco with our partners from CzechInvest, Cytowski & Partners, representing Poland, and the Hungarian Consulate in San Francisco. We honored SEE entrepreneurs, VCs and the local community members that supported their journey.
- Raised more than $435K from ecosystem partners in the US and in Bulgaria
- Surpassed our 3 year fundraising goal of $175K in year one (2021) of the grant agreement with Foundation America for Bulgaria.
- BIH alumni startups raised over $40M, created 150 new jobs and added 2,000 new clients.
Together we accomplished a lot, and continue to move forward in our ongoing commitment to support the efforts of aspiring entrepreneurs from Bulgaria and the SEE region who are shifting boundaries and creating lasting impact in their local communities and beyond.
We are grateful for your generous contributions and look forward to sharing more success in the future.
Warmest regards,
The BIH team
![Community supporters]()
Community supporters
![CEE Christmas party]()
CEE Christmas party
![CEE Entrepreneurs]()
CEE Entrepreneurs
![CEE Christmas party]()
CEE Christmas party
![CEE Community in San Francisco]()
CEE Community in San Francisco
![Bulgarian startup community]()
Bulgarian startup community
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Aug 4, 2021
Bulgaria Startup Ecosystem Update
By Pavlina Yanakieva | CEO of Bulgaria Innovation Hub
![Bulgarian stratup community]()
Bulgarian stratup community
Dear friend,
We are greateful for your incredible kindness and generosity in supporting the growth of the Bulgarian startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship as the driving force for positive economic and social change. As a global partner of the Bulgarian entrepreneurial community BIH contantly strives to bridge the gap and accelerate close intercultural collaboration between the US and Bulgaria.
Because of people like you we've managed to achieve the following impact in the last 2.5 years, and are continuing strong.
- Completed 3 rounds of the BIH educational accelerator
- Welcomed 28 startups into our portfolio
- Despite the pandemic we managed to gather the community of founders, partners, sponsors and mentors at least 3 times with the most recent being the graduation event for the last cohort in Sofia, Bulgaria
- Raised more than $350K from ecosystem partners in the US and in Bulgaria
- Signed a 3 year $400K grant with Foundation America for Bulgaria that will match every donation during the first 2 yrs
- Alumni accomplishments: raised $7.25M, grew their teams by 104 new employees and increased their client base by 1,400 new clients
While these are exciting and encouraging news we remain focused and committed to continuing building a stronger community and better global leaders who will continue to innovate, create jobs and increase the positive impact in the country and beyond.
Thank you again and please share this update with friends and family who are equially passionate about the cause.
Stay healthy and well!
Warmest regards,
The BIH team
![ABF Award]()
ABF Award
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Vassil Terziev sponsor award
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Futureunicorns
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